Automatic railroad switch



T. TOSTADO AUTOMATIC RAILROAD SWITCH Feb. 22, 1927. 8,300

Filed July 26. 1926 INVENTOR )dmidad 302M440 7:11; 1 A TORNEY Patented Feb. 22, 1927.

BEST-AVAlLABLE JC- QPY I UNETEE STATES PATENT 'FFEE.

TRINIDAD TOSTADO, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

This invention relates generally to railroad switches used in connection with rail-,

road tracks to switch-rolling stock from one track to another. The invention having more particular reference to a novel type of automatic railroad switch.

The invention has for an object an improved automatic railroad switch operated by air pressure, embodying certain novel features and advantages.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the follow ing description and accompanying. drawing, and to the'appended claim -in which .the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

Fig. 1, of the drawing, is aperspective view of the switching deviceroper.

Fig. 2, is atop plan View tliereof.

Fig. 3, is a vertical central sectional view of the operating mechanism as used in combin-ation with m improved railroad switch. I The switch points 10 and 11, .pivotally attached as at 12 and 13, respectively to the rails 14: and 15, are adapted to switch rolling stock from the rails 16 and 17 to the rails 14: and 15. The rails 14, 1!. land 17 are attached tothe ties 18. The above mentioned elements being those of common, ordinary construction, such as generally used by all classes of railroads.

As here embodied my improved automatic railroad switch comprises a switching device proper consisting of a tie bar 20, attached at its extremities to the free end portions of the switch points 10 and 11. The bell cranks 21, are pivotally attached as at 22 to one of the above mentioned ties 18, and are pivotall y attached at on extremity to the tie rod 2 by elongated slots 23 formed in the hell cranks 21. adapted to engage pins 24:, attached to the tie rod 20. The other extremity of the bell cranks 21 are pivotally attached to the operating rod 25, by elongated slots 26 formed in the bell cranks 2i, adapted to engage pins 27 attached to one extremity of the operating rods 25. The operating rods 25 extend from the bell cranks 21 adjacent to and parallel to the above mentioned rails 16 and 17, and one pivotally attached as at 28, to one extremity of the levers 29, pivotally attached. as at 30, to supporting members 31, attached to one of the above mentioned ties 18. The levers 30 are provided with extended. elini ents extending! Application filed July 26,

AUTOMATIC RAILROAD SWITCH.

above the said rails 16 and 17, when the switch points 10 and 11 are in an open position as clearl shown in Fig. 2, of the accompanying rawing. The abovedescribed construction being such as will permit the said switcli'points; 10 and 11 to be closed,

so as to switch rolling stock from the rails 16 and 17 to the rails .14 and 15, when the extended elements 32 of thelevers 29 are forced downward.

As here embodied my improved auto.

.matic railroad switch comprises also an operating .niechanism,consisting of .a hollow cylindrical member 35, provided with an extended element 36, as a means of attaching same to the forward end of a railroad locomotive,- orthe like, andhaving an end element 37. The head 38 is attached, as at 3.), by bolts, screws, or the like, .to the upper extremity,.adapted toenclose the said cylindrical member 35.: The iston 40, provided with piston rings 4:1, .suc as commonly used to prevent the leakage'of air under pressure past the piston 40, is slidably mounted in the cylindrical member 35, and has attached thereto a piston rod 42, extending downward therefrom and through an aperture 43 formed in the end element 37 of the cylindrical member 35, and has rotatively attached at its extended extremity, as at 4.4, by a pin or the like, a wheel 45. The piston rod 42 is provided with an enlarged element 4-6, located so as to limit the upward movement of the piston 40. The tension spring 4? is positioned in the cylindrical member 35 and is superimposed between the piston 4.0 and the end element 37 of the c \-'lindrical lllQll'lher 35, so as to normally hold the wheel 45 in an upper position, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, of the accompanying drawing.

The cylindrical member 35 is provided with an inlet 48, as a means of connecting the. cylindrical member 35 to any suitable convenient source of air pressure, and provided with a valve such as commonly used in connection with air pressure lines as a means of turning on and oil the said air pressure.

The above described construction being such as will permit the wheel 4.5 to be extended so as to strike the hereinbefore mentioned extended elements 32 of the levers 29, when air pressure is admitted to the cylindrical member 35, so as to close the said switch points 10 and 11. It being clearly nnderstofld that. lines of my inipwa-ml age susceptible of crating mechanisms as above described are employed.

As a means of exhausting the air pressure admitted to the cylindrical member 35, so as to permit the tension spring 47 to return the piston to its normal position, I have provided an adjustable air valve comprising a flanged member 50 attached as at 51, by bolts, screws, or the like to the head 38, positioned over an aperture 52 in the head 38, and provided with an end 53 having an axial a rture 54 The ca 55. is remov'ably attac ed at its lower ex remit-mas at 56, by threads or the like, to the flanged member 50. and is provided with an upper end 57, and has an inward extended element 58, ada ted to form a circular pocket 59. The ba e plate 60, is attached to the upper end 57 of the cap 55, ispositioned in the cap 55 over the inward extended element. 58, so as to deflect the air pressure exhausted through the axial aperture 54: through the circular pocket 59.- The adjustable plate 61; is rotatively attached, by the bolt 62 to the upper end 57 of the cap 55, and provided with a plurality of apertures 63 adaptcdto register with similar apertures 64 cated in the upper end 57 of the cap 55, when the adjustable plate 61 is rotated or turned, so as to regulate the velocity of the air pressure-exhausted from the cylindrical member 35, which will determine the return of the wheel 44 to its normal position.

While I have above described the preferred form, construction and arrangement of the several elements employed, it will be understood that the device is, nevertheless, considerable modification therein, and I therefore reserve the privilege of resorting to all such changes as may be fairly embodied within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows In an automatic railroad switch of the class described, an adjustable air valve comprising a flanged member attached to the head of a hollow cylindrical member and provided with an end having an axial aperture, a cap removably attached to the said flanged member and provided with an upper end and an inward extended element adapted to form a circular pocket. a baflle plate attached to the upper end of the said cap, and positioned over the said inward extended element so as to deflect the air pressure exhausted from the said hollow cylindrical member througl the said circular pocket, an adjustable plate rotatively at- 'ached to the upper end of the said cap,

said adjustable plate provided with a pluralitv of apertures adapted to register with simi ar second apertures located in the said upper end of the said ca so as to regulate the air pressure exhausbe from the said hollow cylindrical member, as a means of determining the return of a wheel to its normal position, said wheel rotatively attached to a piston rod, said piston rod attached to a piston slidably mounted in the said hollow cylindrical member.

In testimony whereof I have atlixed my signature.

TRINIDAD TOSTADO. 

